NEWS – Recently developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). It is aimed at detecting harmful water pollutants, specifically aromatic xenobiotic compounds.

ABOUT AROTRACK

Purpose

• Accurately detects harmful aromatic pollutants such as phenol, benzene, and xylenols.
• Designed to identify multiple pollutants in water using biological principles.

Working Mechanism

• Utilizes proteins derived from bacteria in highly polluted environments.
• The protein undergoes an ATP hydrolysis chemical reaction selectively in the presence of aromatic compounds.
• Reaction causes a color change in the protein solution, which AroTrack detects.
• Equipped with a light-emitting diode (LED)-phototransistor assembly:
  • Shines a light of specific wavelength through the sample.
  • Measures light absorption to determine pollutant concentration.
• Includes a biosensing module called MopR, specifically sensitive to phenol.

Key Features

• Operates reliably in water temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius.
• Delivers results in less than 30 minutes.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Low-cost device suitable for widespread deployment.
• Battery-operated, making it ideal for remote or rural areas.
• Addresses the lack of resources and reliance on expensive laboratory tests.
• Detection of pollutants in under-resourced settings.
• Could improve water safety in rural and low-income areas.

POTENTIAL IMPACT

• Revolutionizes water testing with its quick, efficient, and affordable
• Enhances public health by identifying water contamination before consumption.